WO2018041594A1

WO2018041594A1 - Pressurised fluid dispensing head and aerosol can or manual pump comprising such a dispensing head

Info

Publication number: WO2018041594A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/070346
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Pierre Guy Songbe
Original assignee: Albea Le Treport
Priority date: 2016-09-02
Filing date: 2017-08-10
Publication date: 2018-03-08
Also published as: FR3055560A1; FR3055560B1

Abstract

The invention concerns a pressurised fluid dispensing head comprising a nozzle (50, 150) and an anvil (40), said nozzle comprising an outlet opening (51), said nozzle and said anvil defining at least one fluid channel (17, 18, 52,) situated at least partially between said nozzle and said anvil, said fluid channel(s) allowing a stabilisation of the fluid from an area upstream from said fluid channel(s) to said outlet opening, said upstream area being situated between said nozzle and said anvil.

Description

Dispensing head of a pressurized fluid and aerosol can or manually operated pump comprising such a dispensing head

The invention relates to a dispensing head for an aerosol can or pump with manual actuation.

Certain industrial or DIY fluids, such as lubricants or releasing agents, are packaged in containers under pre-pressurized gas, provided with a transfer valve that can be actuated by a push button, the outlet orifice of which is extended by a long tube allowing precise and targeted application of the liquid when the user actuates the valve by pressing the push button. Care products, or pharmaceuticals are also packaged, for example for hair applications. But this type of packaging has disadvantages.

First the container is under preliminary pressure of gas. Whether the gas is compressed or liquefied, the container must withstand this pressure especially when it rises with temperature, so its constituent material, its embodiment, its controls in production and its shape must be adapted. In general, these containers, also called "bombs", are cylindrical, so bulky and bulky to contain 33% gas. Their destruction is difficult because of the precautions involved in the residual pressure of gases, some of which are flammable, such as butane. Secondly, the applicator tube, often glued to the side of the container by adhesive tape at the time of sale, is quickly lost by the user who can not effectively glue it onto the container because it has become moistened by the product. Against this, some packages are provided with an applicator tube connected to the body of the push button by a hinge allowing its folding after application, but this does not prevent it then drips and contaminates the container.

There is therefore a need for a distribution system for stabilizing or even accelerating the fluid to be dispensed so that the latter forms a well-defined jet of substantially cylindrical shape so that it can reach a target precisely without the need for a tube. applicator. The need also extends to manually operated pumps. Prior art is known transfer members involving a pump that produces within it the restitution pressure only by actuation of the push button by the user. These transfer members are conventionally dispensing members sealingly attached to the neck of a container containing a fluid to be dispensed. According to a known embodiment, a sampling tube is immersed in the fluid contained in the container. The fluid is sucked through the sampling tube by the action of the transfer member, then enters a channel system housed within the push button, which connects said sampling tube to an outlet port through which the fluid is distributed.

The velocity and the profile of the fluid at the outlet of the distribution system depends on the one hand on the pressure created within the distribution system by the actuation of the push button and which allows the movement of the fluid from the sampling tube to flow. at the exit port through said channel system, and secondly at the configuration of said channel system. Decreasing channel sections from upstream to downstream lead to fluid acceleration, while sudden changes in channel direction can cause flow destabilization.

It is known from the prior art the use of a plurality of channels distributed along the periphery of a cylindrical ring and opening out of an annular channel. The change of section during the passage of the annular channel, which extends over the entire perimeter of the ring, to the plurality of channels which extends discontinuously along the ring, has the effect of accelerating the fluid. It is also expected a decrease in the number of channels from upstream to downstream so as to continue the acceleration of the fluid.

Nevertheless, in this embodiment according to the prior art, the channels of said plurality of channels converge to output ports of each channel. Thus, jets emerging from these channels converge and collide with each other. The jets are destabilized and form a spray and not a jet of substantially cylindrical shape.

There is therefore a general need for a fluid distribution system to stabilize or accelerate sufficiently the fluid to be dispensed so that the latter form a well-defined jet of substantially cylindrical shape so that it can reach a target precisely without the need for an applicator tube.

For this purpose, according to a first embodiment, the invention proposes a dispensing head of a fluid under pressure comprising a nozzle and an anvil, said nozzle comprising an outlet orifice, said nozzle and said anvil defining at least one path fluidic fluid located at least partly between said nozzle and said anvil, the fluidic path (s) allowing a stabilization of the fluid from an upstream zone of said fluid path (s) to said outlet orifice, said upstream zone being located between said nozzle and said anvil .

Advantageously, this first embodiment makes it possible to maintain a stabilized flow all along the fluidic path and particularly at the outlet of the dispensing head, the fluid thus being dispensed in the form of a jet of substantially cylindrical shape. Advantageously, the jet exiting the outlet orifice does not undergo an impact likely to destabilize it. Indeed, this embodiment having a single outlet orifice avoids the generation of a plurality of jets likely to collide and destabilize each other. Said upstream zone marks the beginning, in the upstream-downstream direction, of the portion of the fluidic path (s) ensuring a stabilization of the flow. In a preferred embodiment, this upstream zone is located at an annular portion which is located between the nozzle and the anvil. In another embodiment, said upstream zone is located at a disc portion, located between the nozzle and the anvil, downstream of the annular channel. In another embodiment, said upstream zone is located at the transition channel, defined by the anvil and the body of the dispensing head.

According to a second characteristic, the passage section of the fluid path (s) of the dispensing head decreases from said upstream zone located between the nozzle and the anvil of said fluid path to said outlet orifice.

This section decrease in the direction from upstream to downstream of the fluidic path may be continuous or in stages. Its purpose is to accelerate the fluid along the fluidic path of the dispensing head to reach a maximum speed at the outlet orifice. It is thus possible to project a jet at a distance of at least 20 centimeters and preferably 50 centimeters. According to various embodiments of the invention, which may be taken together or separately:

the fluidic path has an annular portion between said nozzle and said anvil.

the thickness of said annular portion is less than 0.2 mm.

- The anvil comprises at least a portion of substantially cylindrical shape at a portion of at least one or said fluidic paths.

said nozzle comprises a housing accommodating said anvil.

said housing comprises a portion of substantially cylindrical shape at a portion of at least one or more fluidic paths.

said fluidic path or paths comprise a disc portion situated downstream from the annular portion and between the nozzle and the anvil,

the end of the anvil is curved.

the anvil comprises at least a portion of substantially conical shape at the fluid path or paths and said nozzle housing has a shape complementary to that of said anvil, at the substantially conical portion of said anvil.

the nozzle and the anvil define a portion of fluidic path of substantially conical shape converging from upstream to downstream.

an outlet channel opens into the outlet orifice of the nozzle.

the length of the outlet channel is at least 0.05mm.

the diameter of the outlet channel is between 0.1 mm and 1 mm.

the distance between the face of the anvil facing the outlet orifice and the face of the nozzle facing the anvil is less than 0.2 mm.

the fluidic path has connection radii at the transition between two portions of fluidic path of different sections or directions.

the outlet orifice opens into a diverging opening.

- a push button triggers the distribution of the fluid.

- The nozzle is mounted by harpooning in the body of the push button. - The dispensing head is part of an aerosol can containing pressurized gas.

- The dispensing head is part of a dispensing device involving a manually operated pump.

The invention will be better understood in the light of the following description which is given for information only and which is not intended to limit it, accompanied by the attached drawings:

- Figure 1 is a sectional view of a pressurized fluid distribution device comprising a dispensing head according to a first embodiment,

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a pressurized fluid distribution head according to a first embodiment,

FIG. 3a is a sectional view of an assembly consisting of a nozzle mounted in a pushbutton body and an anvil, according to a first embodiment,

FIG. 3b is a schematic view of a fluidic path according to an alternative embodiment,

FIG. 3c is a schematic view of a fluidic path, involving a nozzle according to an alternative embodiment,

FIG. 4a is a perspective view of a nozzle according to an alternative embodiment,

- Figure 4b is a sectional view of a nozzle according to an alternative embodiment,

FIG. 5 is an axial view of the nozzle in the plane AA shown in FIG. 3a according to a first embodiment and of the flow of fluid within this nozzle;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a pressurized fluid distribution head according to a second embodiment,

- Figure 7 is a sectional view of an assembly consisting of a nozzle mounted in a push button body and an anvil, according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 1 represents a device 1 for distributing pressurized fluid, said fluid can be of any kind, in particular used in perfumery, in cosmetics or in the framework of pharmaceutical treatments. The viscosity of said fluid is preferably between 1 mPa.s and 100mPa.s.

A dispensing device 1 comprises a dispensing head 1 0 in the form of a push button 21 and a transfer member 2, which is preferably a pump. The transfer member 2 is positioned on a mounting ring 3. The mounting ring 3 and the yoke 7 are intended to fix the transfer member 2 on a neck 4 of a container 5 containing the fluid which must be transferred from the container into the dispensing head and distributed outside thereof. To do this, the transfer member 2 is fixed inside the ring 3 and the latter is placed on a ring 6, preferably a flexible seal, positioned on the neck 4 of the container 5. A yoke 7 maintains firmly fixed the mounting ring 3, the ring 6 on the neck 4 of the container 5, thus ensuring a retention of the transfer member 2 on the container. The dispensing head comprises a push button 21 for triggering the dispensing of the fluid. An upper face 1 1 of the dispensing head forms a contact surface on which the user presses to activate the transfer member 2 by displacement in a direction X. The transfer member 2 then pressurizes the fluid and finally the head distributes the fluid through an outlet 51.

The upstream and downstream terms are defined in relation to the flow direction of the fluid. In relation to a given point, "upstream of" means "in part of the fluidic path between that point and the container containing the fluid". "Downstream of" means "in part of the fluidic path between that point and the outlet of the dispensing head". The "upstream-downstream direction" is the direction of fluid flow, which flows from the container containing the fluid to the outlet port.

Upstream of the dispensing head 1 0, the fluid is moved from the container 5 through the sampling tube 8 and the transfer member 2. A feed tube 9, or outlet tube, fixed downstream of the transfer member 2, is placed within the dispensing head 10. This tube 9 ensures the transfer of the fluid under pressure from the transfer member 2 to a connecting channel 12, formed within the head of the distribution 10, and located above and in the immediate vicinity of the feed tube 9. This connecting channel 12 is in communication with a system of channels within the head of This channel system conducts the fluid from the connecting channel 12 to the outlet port 51 through which the fluid jet is dispensed.

The dispensing head comprises a body 14 forming the connecting channel 12 and a housing 13 (Figure 2), which is occupied by an anvil 40, comprising an axial surface 42, and of substantially cylindrical shape, the axis of the cylinder s' extending in an axial direction of fluid distribution Y, transverse to the direction X of displacement of the push button. Said anvil 40 is made integrally with said body 14. Said anvil is delimited in the axial direction Y by a radial end face 41. Said radial end face may be flat or curved, the latter configuration promoting a stabilization of the flow.

The body 14 of the dispensing head 1 0 comprises an opening 20 through which a nozzle 50 is introduced. The nozzle 50 includes a nozzle housing 53 housing the anvil 40. The nozzle 50 includes a substantially cylindrical inner surface 55 and a substantially flat bottom 54. Said inner surface 55 and said bottom 54 define the nozzle housing 53. The nozzle comprises an outlet channel 52 pierced in the bottom 54 and providing the connection between the nozzle housing 53 of the nozzle and the outlet port 51.

The nozzle 50 is positioned around the anvil 40 so as to define at least one fluid path for the flow of the fluid from the connecting channel 12 to the outlet orifice 51. It appears that the assembly consisting of the nozzle 50 and the anvil 40 defines at least one fluid path extending downstream of the connecting channel 12 to the outlet orifice 51 of the nozzle. More precisely, the fluidic path or paths consist of the succession:

a transition channel 16, which is defined by the spacing between the anvil 40 and an inner surface of the body 14 of the distribution head 1 0,

- An annular portion 17 of the fluid path or paths defined by the relative position of the axial surface 42 of the anvil 40 and the inner surface 55 of the nozzle. This annular portion 17 takes the form of an annular channel. Said channel forms a ring having a thickness e which is constant over a perimeter of the ring at a given axial position Y. According to the embodiment considered, the thickness e of the ring may be constant along the Y axis of symmetry of said cylindrical anvil or it may vary depending on the position along the Y axis.

a disc portion 18 of the fluidic path or paths defined by the relative position of the radial end face 41 of the anvil 40 and the bottom 54 of the nozzle 50,

- finally the outlet channel 52 pierced in bottom 54 of the nozzle 50.

According to a preferred embodiment (Figure 3a), the anvil 40 comprises at least a portion of substantially cylindrical shape 43 at a portion of at least one or said fluidic paths. Such a geometry of the anvil thus allows a smooth and smooth flow of fluid flowing around the anvil. Still according to a preferred embodiment, said nozzle 50 comprises a nozzle housing 53 accommodating said anvil, said housing comprising a portion of substantially cylindrical shape at a portion of at least one or more fluidic paths. The nozzle is fitted around the anvil coaxially with the axis of the cylindrical anvil, so that the fluid path or paths have an annular portion 17 between said nozzle and said anvil. This annular portion has as outer diameter the inner surface 55 of the nozzle 50 and for inner diameter the axial surface 42 of the anvil 40.

So that the annular portion 17 of fluidic path is well defined and of constant thickness over the entire perimeter of the ring and at each axial position along the Y axis, it is necessary that the mounting of the nozzle in the body 14 of the dispensing head is perfectly controlled in order to have an extremely precise and coaxial positioning of the nozzle and anvil (Figure 3a). For this, the nozzle is mounted by harpooning in the body 14 of the push button 21. The nozzle 50 is provided with a harpoon 58 in the form of an annular extra thickness extending over the entire perimeter of an outer surface 56 of the nozzle. This extra thickness allows a tight fitting of the nozzle inside the housing 13 of the dispensing head, the diameter of the harpooned area of the nozzle being slightly greater than the diameter of the inlet orifice of the housing 13. A rear face 57 of the nozzle 50 abuts against a bottom 19 of the housing 13 of the dispensing head. The positioning of the nozzle 50 is thus perfectly defined with respect to the anvil 40, both in the axial direction (Y direction) and in the radial direction (X direction), the distance from the axial surface 42 of the anvil to the inner surface 55 of the nozzle being constant over the entire perimeter of the ring and at any axial position Y.

According to this embodiment shown in Figure 3a, the axial surface 42 of the anvil 40 and the inner surface 55 of the nozzle 50 are strictly cylindrical and thus define an annular portion 17 of fluidic path forming a ring whose thickness is constant along the Y axis. In other words, the thickness e of the annular portion 17, which is equal to the difference of the radii of the inner surface 55 of the nozzle 50 and the axial surface 42 of the nozzle 40, is the same at an upstream point of the annular portion 17, that is to say located near the transition channel 16, and at a downstream point of the annular portion 17, that is to say situated near the disc portion 18. According to an alternative embodiment (Figure 3b), the axial surface 42 of the anvil 40 is cylindrical and the inner surface 55 of the nozzle 50 is slightly frustoconical, its diameter decreasing in the direction from upstream to downstream. Thus, the diameter of the inner surface 55 of the nozzle 50 is greater on the side of the upstream zone of the annular portion 17 than on the side of the disc portion 18. As a result, the thickness e of the annular portion 17 decreases in the upstream-downstream direction. This reduction in thickness and this convergent geometry of the annular portion 17 in the upstream-downstream direction contributes to the stabilization of the fluid flow.

According to an alternative embodiment not illustrated, there may be a plurality of fluidic paths that arise for example from the division of an upstream fluid path to the right of the transition channel 16 or the annular portion 17 into a plurality of channels spaced the each other angularly around the Y axis of the anvil. These channels meet at one or more points upstream of the outlet orifice 51. The object of the invention is to have a stabilized flow within the fluid path (s), in order to allow the distribution by the outlet orifice 51 of the nozzle 50 of a jet of substantially cylindrical shape. Stabilization of the flow along the fluid path (s) is intended to obtain a flow in which each fluid volume element moves in a direction that remains substantially parallel to the surfaces defining the fluidic path between which it evolves.

On the contrary, in the case of a destabilized flow, having hydrodynamic instabilities of the vortex or turbulence type, the different fluid elements of the same section of fluid path move in different directions and generally not parallel to the path surfaces. neighboring fluidic. It is also possible in the case of a destabilized fluid flow to observe temporal variations of the flow velocity at a given point of the fluidic path in the case of intermittency phenomena.

The consequence of such a destabilized flow is that on the one hand, a significant part of the pressure created in the fluid by the transfer member 2 is dissipated within turbulence, which leads to a low fluid outlet speed. through the outlet 51. On the other hand, the flow being destabilized upstream of the outlet orifice, it remains naturally destabilized during its distribution. Instead of a jet of substantially cylindrical shape, a disperse-shaped fluid distribution is obtained, with a large distribution cone and often a jet spray in the form of droplets of the type of a spray. This mode of distribution of droplets is appreciated for certain applications such as the distribution of perfumes and cosmetics, as well as for pharmaceutical applications, but does not make a jet of the desired type, in this case a jet that projects to a distance distant and of substantially cylindrical form. The stabilization of a flow is favored on the one hand by fluidic paths having small sections. The proximity between the surfaces forming the fluid path (s) and each point of the flow contributes to preventing the development of hydrodynamic instabilities. On the other hand, a convergent channel geometry in the upstream to downstream direction also contributes to the stabilization of the flow lines when, on the contrary, a diverging channel geometry in the direction from upstream downstream, separating and moving the streamlines away from each other, is likely to induce the formation of hydrodynamic instabilities and turbulence. Third, abrupt changes in direction contribute to the formation of turbulence, for example when a layer of fluid flowing near a surface is carried away from it by its inertia at a change of direction of the fluidic path. Thus, when it is not possible to avoid changes of direction, it is important for stabilization of the flow to provide progressive changes of direction, which is made possible by connecting radii between two portions successive fluidic path of different directions.

A fluidic path allowing a stabilization of the flow must therefore be understood as reproducing at least one of these three characteristics: decreasing passage sections in the direction going from the upstream to the downstream, a geometry of the fluidic paths convergent in the direction from upstream to downstream and connecting radii between two successive fluid path portions of different directions. Thus, an annular channel of small thickness is favorable to a stabilization of the flow. According to a preferred embodiment, the thickness of said annular portion 17 of fluid path is between 0.05mm and 1 .5mm, preferably between 0.1 mm and 1 mm. More particularly, the thickness is 0.15mm. Such a small thickness of the ring formed by this portion of the fluidic path makes it possible to have a flow stabilized by the proximity of the surfaces, in this case the axial surface 42 of the anvil 40 and the inner surface 55 of the nozzle 50 .

Downstream, the annular portion 1 7 opens into the disc portion 1 8, this disc portion 1 8 being located between the radial end face 41 of the anvil 40 and the bottom 54 of the anvil 50. Within of this disc portion 1 8, the flow lines converge from the outlet of the annular portion 1 7 to the inlet of the outlet channel 52, said outlet channel being formed in the bottom 54 of the nozzle 50. The lines flow are oriented radially (arrows in Figure 5, which is an axial section of the disc portion 18 along the plane AA of Figure 3a) and converge to the outlet channel 52, thus stabilizing the flow. Said fluid path (s) thus comprise a disc portion (18) located downstream of the annular portion (17) and located between the radial end face (41) of the anvil (40) and the bottom (54) of the nozzle (50), favoring a stabilization of the flow. According to a preferred embodiment, the radial end face 41 of the anvil 40 is slightly curved, the bottom 54 of the nozzle 50 being substantially flat. This radial face 41 of the anvil defining a surface of the fluidic path at the disc portion 18, the convex shape allows a geometric convergence of the fluid path and thus a stabilization of the flow. Indeed, the distance between the radial end face 41 of the anvil 40 and the bottom 54 of the nozzle 50 decreases at the portion of fluid path close to the axis of symmetry Y of the anvil and the nozzle. Thus, there is a decrease in cross section of the disc portion of the fluid path in the upstream-downstream direction, which is in the direction of the stabilization of the flow within this portion.

According to a preferred embodiment, the distance between the radial end face 41 of the anvil 40 facing the outlet orifice 52 and the bottom 54 of the nozzle facing the anvil is between 0.05mm and 1 .5mm at the inlet of the disc portion 18. Preferably this distance is between 0.1 mm and 1 mm. More particularly, this distance is equal to 0.15mm.

The distance between the radial end face 41 of the anvil 40 facing the outlet orifice 52 and the bottom 54 of the nozzle facing the anvil is even smaller with respect to the outlet channel 52 because of the curved shape of the radial end face 41 opposite the bottom 54 substantially flat. Opposite the outlet channel 52, this distance is measured between the plane comprising the bottom plane 54 and the radial end face 41.

This range of value of the distance between the radial end face 41 of the anvil 40 facing the outlet orifice 52 and the bottom 54 of the nozzle facing the anvil ensures good stability of the flow.

According to an alternative embodiment (FIG. 3c), the anvil 40 is designed with a flat radial end face 41. The bottom 54 of the nozzle 50 is also flat, the flow section of the disc portion 18 is constant over the entire portion. The distance between the radial end face 41 and the bottom 54 of the nozzle 50 is preferably less than 0.2 mm. The different characteristics presented below can be combined with each other. Thus, four embodiments can be considered comprising an annular portion 17 and a disc portion 18:

- A first embodiment in which the annular portion is of constant thickness in the axial direction as shown in Figure 3a and the disc portion 18 is convergent (radial end face 41 curved) as shown in Figure 3a.

a second embodiment in which the annular portion is of constant thickness in the axial direction as shown in FIG. 3a and the disc portion 18 is of constant thickness (radial end face 41) as shown in FIG. Figure 3c and Figures 4a and b

a third embodiment in which the annular portion is of decreasing thickness in the axial direction, ie a convergence of the annular portion as shown in FIG. 3b, and the disc portion 18 is convergent (radial end face 41 convex ) as shown in Figure 3a.

a fourth embodiment in which the annular portion is of decreasing thickness in the axial direction, ie a convergence of the annular portion as shown in FIG. 3b, and the disc portion 18 is of constant thickness (end face radial flat 41) as shown in Figure 3c and Figures 4a and b.

The outlet channel 52 formed in the bottom 54 of the nozzle 50 contributes to stabilizing the flow. This channel must be sufficiently narrow and long to be able to stabilize the flow after it has passed the elbow formed by the fluid path or paths during the passage of the disc portion 18 to the outlet channel 52. Thus, in a of preferred embodiment, the outlet channel 52 opens into the outlet orifice 51 of the nozzle 50 and has a length at least equal to 0.05 mm and preferably at least equal to 0.3 mm. A shorter length could lead to a jet output of the outlet orifice 51 which would present turbulence. Likewise, in a preferred embodiment, said outlet channel 52 has a diameter of between 0.05 mm and 1 mm. With such a diameter, it is expected that the flow remains stable. The uniqueness of the outlet orifice 51 contributes to the stabilization of the fluid by the fluid path (s). Indeed, a plurality of jets exiting the plurality of outlets, could lead to impacts between the jets and therefore their mutual destabilization. Therefore :

the annular portion 17, delimited by the axial surface 42 of the anvil 40 and the inner surface 55 of the nozzle 50 opposite,

the disc portion 18 delimited by the radial end face 41 of the anvil 40 and the bottom 54 of the nozzle 50,

the outlet channel 52 and the single outlet orifice 51 formed in the bottom of the nozzle,

together constitute a fluid path within the dispensing head for stabilizing the flow of the fluid under pressure. Thus, the dispensing head 10 of a fluid under pressure comprises a nozzle 50 and an anvil 40, said nozzle comprising an outlet orifice 51, said nozzle 50 and said anvil 40 defining at least one fluidic path (17, 18, 52) located at least partially between said nozzle and said anvil, the fluid path (s) allowing a stabilization of the fluid from an upstream zone (17, 18) of said fluid path (s) to said outlet orifice 51, said upstream zone ( 17, 18) being located between said nozzle 50 and said anvil 40. As mentioned above, it is also possible to envisage an embodiment in which a plurality of channels angularly spaced about the Y axis replace the annular portion 17, these channels opening into the disc portion 1 8. In this embodiment, there is therefore a plurality of fluidic paths. In a particular embodiment, a selection only of these fluidic paths, or even only one, allows a stabilization of the flow. Nevertheless, in a preferred embodiment, all the fluidic paths allow the stabilization of the flow.

In a preferred embodiment, the passage section of the fluidic path (s) (17, 18, 52) decreases from said upstream zone of said one or more fluidic paths to said outlet orifice 51. Thus, the outlet section of the annular portion 17 of the fluidic path, equal to the product of its perimeter and its thickness, is wider than the inlet section of the disc portion 18. The passage section gradually decreases from upstream to downstream, thus leading to a stabilization of the flow. As we have seen, the curved geometry of the radial end face 41 of the nozzle also contributes to reducing the section of the disc portion 18 in the upstream-downstream direction.

This decay of the passage section contributes to the stabilization of the flow, but also to the acceleration of the fluid along its flow from upstream to downstream. Thanks to this geometry, it is possible to obtain at the output of the dispensing head a jet of substantially cylindrical shape extending over a distance of 20 centimeters, preferably 50 centimeters, producing at this distance an application quality identical to that produced. at the outlet of an application tube of the same length.

The decay of the passage section can be continuous or in stages. In a particular embodiment, the fluidic path consists of a succession of annular portions of decreasing diameters in the upstream-downstream direction, interconnected by convergent portions. Along each annular portion, the section is constant in the upstream-downstream flow direction. Between two annular portions, the section decreases in the direction from upstream to downstream within the converging portion linking two successive annular portions. This geometry therefore has a stepwise decay of the passage section of the fluidic path.

In a preferred embodiment, the fluidic path (17, 18, 52) has connection radii at the transition between two fluid path portions of different sections or directions. Thus, the nozzle 50 has a radius R55 at the transition between its axial inner surface 55 and the bottom of the nozzle 54. Similarly, the anvil has a radius R42 at the transition between its axial surface 42 and its radial face. end 41. Thus, the change of direction at the transition between the annular portion 1 7 and the disc portion 1 8, which extends in a direction transverse to that of the annular portion 1 7, is progressive, which avoids a destabilization of the fluid flow. Similarly, the nozzle 50 has a radius R52 at the inlet of the outlet channel 52 formed in its bottom 54. Thus, the fluid changes direction gradually at the time of the passage of the disc portion 18 to the outlet channel 52, which extends in a direction transverse to the direction of the disc portion 1 8. Here again, the radius R52 prevents a destabilization of the fluid during the change of direction of the flow.

Preferably, the rays R42, R55 and R52 have a radius of curvature of the same order of magnitude as the width or diameter of the channels with which they are associated. Thus, the rays R42 and R55 associated with the annular portion 17 and the disc portion 18 have a radius of curvature of the order of 0.2mm. The radius R52 associated with the disc portion 18 and the outlet channel 52 has a radius of curvature typically between 0.05 mm and 1 mm, depending on the diameter of the outlet channel 52.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the dispensing head comprises a diverging opening 59a into which the outlet orifice opens. An outer radial face 59 of the nozzle 50 has a concave conical portion 59a into which the outlet orifice 51 opens. This conical portion has a divergent profile from upstream to downstream, which offers an advantage for the dispensing of certain fluids, according to their surface tension with air, their density, their viscosity and possibly their viscoelasticity. It is important that a connection 59b of the outlet channel 52 at the diverging opening 59a is at a sharp angle. The diverging aperture 59a does not participate in said one or more fluidic paths stabilizing the fluid flow. Said fluid path (s) terminate at the outlet port 51.

According to another embodiment (FIGS. 6 and 7), a dispensing head 1 comprising an anvil 140 which comprises at least one portion 144 of substantially conical shape at the level of the fluidic path (s) (1 1 7, 18, 152 ) and a nozzle housing 153 of a nozzle 1 50 has a shape complementary to that of an anvil 140, at the substantially conical portion 144 of said anvil 140, the nozzle 150 and the anvil 140 thereby defining a portion 1 1 8 fluidic path of substantially conical shape converging from upstream to downstream. Thus, the disc portion 18 of a fluidic path having the shape of a disc channel in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5 is replaced in this new embodiment by the portion 1 1 8 of the fluidic path of FIGS. a conical shape. This configuration of the fluidic path portion has the effect of converging the fluid progressively from an annular portion 11 to the outlet channel 152. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art through the comparison of the two embodiments, that the convergence is more progressive in the case of the conical portion 1 18 of the second embodiment (Figures 6 and 7) than in that of the disc portion 18 of the first embodiment (Figures 1 to 5). The second embodiment of Figures 6 and 7 has elements common with the first embodiment which are now briefly discussed. Optionally, there exists upstream of said portion 144 of substantially conical shape of said nozzle 140 an axial portion 143 of substantially cylindrical shape, an axial surface 142 is opposite an inner surface 155 of said nozzle 150. These two surfaces thus define an annular portion 1 17 whose thickness is preferably less than 0.2mm. An outer surface 156 of the nozzle 150 has a spear 158 in the form of a protrusion extending over the entire periphery of said outer surface. This harpoon allows the tight fitting of said nozzle 150 in a housing 1 13 of a body 1 14 of the dispensing head 1 10. The nozzle 150 is thus mounted in a coaxial mode controlled around the anvil 140, thus allowing precisely define the annular portion 1 17.

According to the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, it is possible to control the width of the conical portion 1 18 as a function of the viscosity of the fluid to be dispensed by inserting the nozzle 150 more or less deeply into the housing 1 13 of the body 1 14 of the distribution head 1 10 around the anvil 140. For this purpose, the housing 1 13 may be provided on an inner surface 1 15 at least one notch allowing a well defined depression of the nozzle 150 in the housing 13. It is thus possible to produce a plurality of distribution head references 1 10 adapted to a plurality of fluid viscosity range to be dispensed, each reference being characterized by a different location of said notch on the inner surface 1 15 of the housing 1 13 of the body 1 14. It is thus possible to achieve, after mounting the nozzle 150 in the body 1 14 around the anvil 140 and the cooperation of the harpoon 158 with said notch, a dispensing head having a fluid path (1 17.1 18,152) with a portion 1 18 having the shape of a conical channel of thickness adapted to the viscosity of the fluid to be dispensed. The distance between a radial end surface 141 of the anvil facing the outlet orifice 151 and a bottom 154 of the nozzle facing the anvil can thus be adjusted. As an alternative embodiment, a plurality of notches is formed on the inner surface 1 15 of the housing 1 1 3 of the body 1 14 and the nozzle is mounted in the body 1 14 according to an axial depth chosen according to the viscosity of the fluid to be dispensed, said harpoon 158 cooperating with that of the notches of the plurality of said notches which is suitable for the fluid viscosity considered. The thickness of the tapered portion i.e. the distance between the radial end surface 141 of the anvil and the bottom 154 of the nozzle is typically equal to or less than 0.2mm. The annular portion 17 may be of constant thickness at any axial position in the Y direction, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. This results from a situation in which the inner surface 155 of the nozzle 150 and the axial surface 142 the anvil 140 are perfectly cylindrical. According to an alternative embodiment, the axial surface 142 of the anvil 140 is cylindrical and the inner surface 155 of the nozzle 1 50 is slightly frustoconical, its diameter decreasing in the direction from upstream to downstream. Thus, the diameter of the inner surface 1 55 of the nozzle 1 50 is greater on the upstream side than on the side of the disc portion 1 18. As a result, the thickness of the annular portion 1 17 decreases in the upstream-downstream direction . This reduction in thickness and this convergent geometry of the annular portion 1 17 in the upstream-downstream direction contributes to the stabilization of the fluid flow.

The fluid path (1 17, 1 18, 152) of the dispensing head according to the embodiment of Figures 6 and 7 comprises radii at the direction changes. Thus the nozzle 1 50 comprises a radius R155 in front of which is formed on the nozzle 140 a radius R142 at the transition of the annular portion 1 17 and the conical portion 1 1 8. Similarly the nozzle comprises a radius R152 to the inlet of the outlet channel 1 52 formed in the bottom 154 of said nozzle.

An outer radial face 159 of the nozzle 150 has a concave conical portion 59a into which an outlet orifice 1 51 opens. This conical portion has a divergent profile from upstream to downstream, which offers an advantage for the dispensing of certain fluids, depending on their surface tension with air, their density, their viscosity and the case. their viscoelasticity. It is important that a connection 159b of an output channel 152 at the diverging aperture 159 be at a sharp angle. The diverging aperture 159a does not participate in said one or more fluidic paths (1 17, 18, 152) stabilizing the fluid flow. Said fluid path (s) terminate at the outlet port (151).

The dispensing head according to one of the embodiments may be associated not only with a dispensing system of the type using a manually operated pump for pressurizing a fluid but also with an aerosol container containing pressurized gas. .

It is thus possible to produce an aerosol container containing pressurized gas or a dispensing device involving a manually operated pump comprising the dispensing head according to one of the embodiments described.

Claims

A dispenser head for a pressurized fluid comprising a nozzle (50,150) and an anvil (40,140), said nozzle comprising an outlet (51,151), said nozzle and said anvil defining at least one fluidic path (17,18). , 52,117,118,152) located at least partly between said nozzle and said anvil, said fluid path (s) permitting stabilization of the fluid from an upstream zone of said at least one fluidic path to said outlet orifice, said upstream zone being situated between said nozzle and said anvil.

2. Dispensing head according to claim 1 wherein the passage section of the fluid path (s) (17,18,52,117,118,152) decreases from said upstream zone of said fluid path (s) to said outlet orifice (51,151).

3. Dispensing head according to one of the preceding claims wherein the one or more fluidic paths have an annular portion (17,117) between said nozzle and said anvil.

4. Dispensing head according to claim 3 wherein the thickness of said annular portion (17,117) is between 0.05mm and 1.5mm.

5. Dispensing head according to claim 3 wherein said one or more fluidic paths (17,18,52) comprise a disc portion (18) located downstream of the annular portion (17) and between the nozzle (50) and the anvil (40).

6. Dispensing head according to one of the preceding claims wherein the anvil (40,140) comprises at least one portion (43,143) of substantially cylindrical shape at a portion (17,117) of at least one or said fluidic paths.

7. Dispensing head according to one of the preceding claims wherein said nozzle (50,150) comprises a nozzle housing (53,153) accommodating said anvil (40,140), said housing comprising a portion of substantially cylindrical shape at a portion ( 17,117) of at least one or more fluidic paths.

The dispensing head of claim 7 wherein the anvil (140) comprises at least one substantially conical portion (144) at the fluid path (s) and wherein said nozzle housing (153) of the nozzle has a shape complementary to that of said anvil (140), at the substantially conical portion of said anvil, the nozzle and the anvil thus defining a portion (1 1 8) of fluidic path of substantially conical shape converging from the upstream downstream.

9. Dispensing head according to one of the preceding claims wherein a radial end face (41) of the anvil (40) is curved.

10. Dispensing head according to one of the preceding claims comprising an outlet channel (52, 152) opening into the outlet orifice of the nozzle (51, 1 51) and having a length at least equal to 0.05mm.

1 1. Dispensing head according to claim 1 0 wherein said outlet channel (52, 1 52) has a diameter of between 0.05mm and 1mm.

12. Dispensing head according to one of the preceding claims wherein the distance between the radial end surface (41, 141) of the anvil facing the outlet (51, 1 51) and the bottom (54 , 1 54) of the nozzle facing the anvil is between 0.05mm and 1 .5mm.

13. Dispensing head according to one of the preceding claims wherein the fluid path (1 7, 18.52, 1 17, 1 18, 152) has connecting radii (R42,

R52, R55, R142, R1 52, R1 55) at the transition between two fluid path portions of different sections or directions.

14. Dispensing head according to one of the preceding claims comprising a diverging opening (59a, 1 59a) into which opens the outlet orifice (51, 1 51).

15. Dispensing head according to one of the preceding claims comprising a push button (21) for triggering the distribution of the fluid.

16. Dispensing head according to claim 15 wherein the nozzle is mounted by harpooning in the body (14) of the push button (21).

17. Aerosol container containing pressurized gas or dispensing device (1) involving a manually operated pump comprising the dispensing head (10) according to one of the preceding claims.